Drones for Amazon Prime Air began making Christmas deliveries for two communities in California and in Texas
TECHNOLOGY POWERING BUSINESS
December 2022
Biometric Devices Sold On eBay Contained US Military Data
Sensitive US military data has been found on the memory cards within biometric devices sold on eBay, researchers find
LastPass Admits Hackers Obtained Customer Password Vaults
Password manager's update on its August breach confirms customer password vault was stolen, as security experts slate the firm
Amazon Mulls Stand-Alone Sports Content App – Report
Sports on Amazon's Prime Video streaming service could potentially be hived off into a separate stand-alone app
VR Headset US Sales Decline, Says NPD – Report
Bad news for Mark Zuckerberg's hopes for the metaverse, as NPD points to a 2 percent decline in VR headset sales in US
Musk Tells Tesla Staff To Ignore Share Price Decline
After 70 percent decline in Tesla share price, Elon Musk tells employees not to be “bothered by stock market craziness”
TSMC Begins Mass Production Of 3nm Chips In Taiwan
Mass production of the most advanced chips begins in Taiwan, underlining the island's importance to global supply of chips
Chinese Police Utilise Tracking Feature In Hikvision Software – Report
Surveillance of protests. Police can track protests in China by enabling ‘alarms’ on software from CCTV giant Hikvision
Twitter Back Online After Global Outage
Early hours outage at Twitter - the first major disruption at the platform after Elon Musk sacked most of the workforce
Micron To Axe 10 Percent Of Staff, Amid Heavy Fab Spending
As it spends billions of dollars building new chip plants in the US, Micron confirms it will axe 10 percent of its workforce
US House Of Representatives Bans TikTok, As Government Ban Looms
China's TikTok is banned from all US House of Representatives-managed devices, as the US government ban looms
Cyber-Attacks Set To Become ‘Uninsurable’, Warns Insurance Boss
Chief executive of Zurich Insurance warns that cyber-attacks, rather than natural disasters, will quickly become “uninsurable”
FTX Customer Lawsuit Seeks Recovery Of Digital Assets
Class action lawsuit filed by FTX customers against failed crypto exchange and its arrested former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried
Infineon CEO Eyes Acquisition Targets – Report
Head of Infineon says German chip maker is ready to spend billions of euros on acquisitions, in a number of specialist fields
WhatsApp To Stop Working On Older Mobile Phones
Millions of users of older iPhones and Android handsets are to lose access to WhatsApp, after support ends 31 December
Ski Slopes Trigger Flood Of 911 Calls From Apple Devices
Ski slopes in Colorado trigger dozens of calls every day from crash-detection feature enabled by default in new Apple iPhone 14s and watches
Tesla ‘Reduces Shanghai Production Plans’ For January
Electric carmaker Tesla reportedly reduces production plans for key Shanghai plant in January amidst fresh Covid-19 disruption in China
Kyocera To Double Semiconductor Investment
Japan's Kyocera to roughly double investment in semiconductors amidst global push to diversify supply chain, following years of disruption
Apple Japan Hit With £81m In Additional Taxes
Apple Japan unit reportedly owes additional 13 billion yen in taxes after investigation finds bulk tax-free purchases of iPhones by tourists
Musk: ‘Nearly 100’ Starlink Terminals Now Active In Iran
SpaceX chief Elon Musk says 'approaching 100' Starlink terminals now active in Iran, amidst ongoing protests and blocked network access
Taiwan Temple Sells NFTs For Popular Pilgrimage
Temple in Taiwan sells thousands of NFTs to increase followers' engagement in popular pilgrimage around sea goddess Mazu
NFT Sales, Search Interest Drop Sharply In 2022
Online searches and sales of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) decline sharply this year after a peak of $4.9 billion in sales in January 2022
Apple Expands Smartphone Lead As Rivals’ Sales Contract
Apple expands smartphone revenues and market share in third quarter as top rivals face difficulties and top Xiaomi execs step down
Smartphone Shipments Drop In China As Covid Takes Toll
Smartphone shipments fall steeply year-on-year within China as Covid-19 lockdowns and tensions with West take toll on economy
Samsung ‘Increasing Capacity’ At Biggest Chip Plant
Samsung Electronics plans to increase production capacity at its biggest semiconductor plant next year, as competitors reduce investments
Twitter Restores User Safety Feature After Outcry
Twitter restores feature promoting user safety materials following 'temporary' removal, after complaints by user and consumer safety groups
TSMC ‘Mulls First EU Chip Plant’ In Dresden
World's biggest contract chipmaker TSMC reportedly in advanced talks over building first EU chip plant in Germany amidst diversification push
Amazon ‘Could Be Held Responsible’ For Trademark Breach
European Union's top court says Amazon may be held responsible for trademark-infringing red-soled shoes advertised on its platform
Meta Pays $725m To Settle Cambridge Analytica Suit
Facebook parent Meta pays $725m (£600m) to settle US class action lawsuit over sharing of personal data with Cambridge Analytica
Merry Christmas, Silicon UK Readers
Merry Christmas to you and your families.
ByteDance Admits Staff Obtained TikTok Data Of Journalists
Chinese parent of TikTok says some staff improperly accessed TikTok user data of two journalists and have been let go
Twitter’s Public Policy Boss Departs, Amid Ongoing Layoffs
More concern for US and European regulators as Twitter's head of public policy departs amid additional layoffs at the platform
FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried Released On $250m Bail, To His Parents
Sam Bankman-Fried has been freed on $250m, but must remain under strict supervision at parents’ California home
Gamers Sue Microsoft To Halt Activision Purchase
Software giant Microsoft faces fresh legal action in US courts to halt its $69bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Tesla Driver Blames ‘Malfunctioning’ Self-driving Software After Crash
Driver claims his Tesla's Full-Self Driving (FSD) self-driving software malfunctioned after a crash that caused multiple injuries
Two Bankman-Fried Associates Plead Guilty To Fraud
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried arrives in America and is expected in court, as two former associates plead guilty to fraud charges
Hundreds Of Former Twitter Staff File Complaints
Twitter this week is being accused by 100 former staff members of a variety of legal violations including targeting women for layoffs
EU Begins ‘In-Depth Investigation’ Into $61bn Broadcom-VMware Buy
European Commission follows the UK's CMA and opens “an in-depth investigation” into Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware
Guardian Newspaper Suffers Ransomware Attack
British newspaper, the Guardian, reveals that it has suffered a “serious IT incident” believed to be a ransomware attack
Tesla Staff Face New Layoffs – Report
Electric car giant Tesla will reportedly undertake another round of job layoffs in the next quarter, and freeze all hiring
EU Legislation Targets Battery Replacement By Users
European Union reaches provisional agreement that will require that portable devices to have user-replaceable batteries
Bitcoin Miner Core Scientific Files For Chapter 11
One of the largest publicly traded crypto mining companies in the US, Core Scientific, is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Elon Musk To Quit As Twitter CEO, Seeks ‘Foolish Enough’ Replacement
Search for new CEO of Twitter begins, but Elon Musk confirms he will remain in charge of software and server teams
Apple Updates AirTag Firmware Amid Stalking Lawsuits
Tech giant Apple opens up about a number of firmware updates for AirTags that continue to restrict the device's principle purpose
Fornite’s Epic Games To Pay $520m In FTC Settlement
Epic Games agrees record-breaking $520m fine with FTC, to settle allegations it misled millions of young Fornite players
FTX Looks For Return Of Millions In Donations
Bankrupt crypto exchange FTX says it will use legal means if necessary to recover tens of millions in political donations
Amazon Seals Antitrust Deal With EU Regulator
European Commission accepts Amazon commitments to avoid fine in two antitrust cases, as new laws due to come into force
John Carmack Quits As Meta Defends Massive VR Investments
Gaming industry legend John Carmack quits Meta as company's chief technology officer defends billions spent on VR and 'metaverse'
Musk Restricts Policy Poll Voting To Paid Twitter Blue Users
Elon Musk says only paid Twitter Blue subscribers will be able to vote in future polls on policy, after users vote for him to step down as chief
Zuckerberg ‘Removed Speech Reference To Cambridge Analytica’
Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg removed reference to Cambridge Analytica from speech six months before scandal came to light, report finds
Xiaomi Cuts Staff Amid China Economic Slowdown
Smartphone maker Xiaomi cuts handset and internet services jobs amidst sales slump, as China begins dismantling zero-Covid controls
More US States Ban TikTok As Federal Vote Looms
Louisiana, West Virginia latest to ban TikTok on government devices as US Congress prepares federal-level vote this week
Binance.US To Acquire Assets Of Voyager Digital For $1bn
Binance US subsidiary to pay $1bn for assets of bankrupt crypto exchange Voyager Digital as crypto turmoil continues
EU Advances Probe Into Meta’s Facebook Marketplace
EU files formal complaint with Meta over Facebook Marketplace in first time it has investigated company on antitrust grounds
FTX’s Bankman-Fried ‘Set To Agree To Extradition’
FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried set to appear in Bahamas court Monday to drop extradition fight amidst charges of massive fraud, money laundering
Top City Law Firm Loses Funds In FTX Crash
'Silver Circle' law firm Herbert Smith Freehills loses $120,000 in FTX failure as disgraced Bankman-Fried charged with fraud
Apple iPhone Production ‘Shifting To India, Vietnam’
Key Apple supplier Foxconn accelerates production shift to India, Vietnam, Brazil amidst supply chain disruption in China
Trump Digital Trading Cards Quickly Sell Out
Digital trading cards offered as NFTs by former US president Donald Trump sell out in less than a day, with price more than doubling
Twitter Users Vote For Musk To Step Down
Elon Musk polls Twitter users over whether he should step down as chief executive, amidst controversy and plummeting Tesla shares
Tech Trends in 2023
As the new year fast approaches, what tech trends should your business pay close attention to? How will the tech landscape change? And how must your enterprise evolve to meet the challenges 2023 will deliver?
US Senates Passes Legislation To Ban TikTok From Government Devices
American lawmakers pass bill to ban TikTok on government devices, in latest move to ban Chinese app in the United States
Twitter Suspends Journalists Over Elon Musk Jet Tracking Articles
Twitter accounts of a number of high profile journalists have been suspended after covering the Elon Musk jet tracking story
United States Adds China’s YMTC, Others To Trade Blacklist
Chinese memory chipmaker YMTC and 21 Chinese 'mjaor' entities in the AI chip sector are added to US entity list
Meta Halts Construction Of Two Data Centres In Denmark
Meta axes construction of two additional data centres in Europe, as Facebook continues cost cutting measures
Apple To Allow Third Party App Stores In EU – Report
Cracking open the monopoly. Apple is reportedly preparing to allow alternative app stores on its iPhones and iPads in the EU
Ericsson Rids Itself Of Russian Support Operation
Ericsson has ended its software and technical support operation in Russia, after earlier halting sales to the heavily sanctioned nation
Binance Founder Reassures After $1 Billion Withdrawn In A Day
Founder Changpeng Zhao admits “stress test” after more than a billion dollars is pulled out of Binance in a single day
A donation on your behalf.
US Scientists Claim Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough
Clean energy milestone as US scientists at Lawrence Livermore claim to have made a breakthrough in nuclear fusion experiment
Twitter Suspends Account That Tracked Elon Musk’s Jet
U-turn by Elon Musk who said he would not ban jet tracking account, but has now suspended the account and threatened legal action
US Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Ban TikTok In US
Escalation against popular Chinese app sees three US lawmakers seek to ban TikTok from operating in the United States
FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried Denied Bail, Fights US Extradition
Founder and former CEO of failed crypto exchange FTX appears in court as he faces US charges of defrauding investors
ARM Refuses To Sell Advanced Chip Designs To Alibaba – Report
British chip designer ARM reportedly refuses to sell advanced chip designs to a Chinese company, citing US/UK export restrictions
Jack Dorsey Admits Twitter Still Has Problems
Cooling bromance? Twitter co-founder and former CEO admits mistakes were made at Twitter, and says platform still has problems
World’s Longest Subsea Cable, 2Africa, Lands In South Africa
Expanding global connectivity. 2Africa cable consortium includes MTN GlobalConnect, Meta Platforms, Vodafone and others
Support For Windows 7, Windows 8 To End 10 January 2023
RIP Windows 7. Extended enterprise support for Windows 7, as well as support for Windows 8/8.1 will be terminated next month
Alabama, Utah Latest US States To Ban TikTok
More US (Republican) states ban TikTok on state devices and computers, following earlier Taiwanese national security ban
US SEC Charges FTX Sam Bankman-Fried With Fraud
Sam Bankman-Fried is accused by US authorities of defrauding investors after regulators called FTX “a house of cards”
Apple Lightning Port Removal Deadline Is 28 December 2024
Clock is ticking for Apple's Lightning port, as cut-off date to switch to USB-C universal charger is set by the European Commission
Twitter Disbands Trust and Safety Council, As Former Executive Threatened
Twitter dissolves its Trust and Safety Council, as former head of Trust & Safety flees home after threats of violence
FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Arrested In Bahamas
Former CEO and founder of collapsed crypto exchange FTX is arrested after the United States files charges against him
Telstra Apologises After Error Exposes Data Of 130,000 Customers
Not a malicious cyberattack. Telstra says sorry after database error results in names, addresses of unlisted customers being released
TerraUSD’s Do Kwon In Serbia, South Korea Says
South Korean authorities say Do Kwon, co-founder of failed TerraUSD cryptocurrency, has fled arrest warrant and is in Serbia
Artemis I Lunar Mission Concludes After Orion Splashdown
NASA's first trial run for returning humans to the moon concluded this weekend, after splashdown of uncrewed Orion capsule
Former Wirecard CEO Dismisses ‘Absurd’ Allegations
Defence for former Wirecard CEO Markus Braun begins in Germany, with his lawyer lambasting prosecution charges
Twitter Blue Apple Users To Pay Premium Price
Elon Musk and Twitter to relaunch revamped version of its subscription service Twitter Blue on Monday, but Apple users will pay more
Microsoft To Acquire 4 Percent Of London Stock Exchange In Cloud Deal
Ten year cloud data deal between LSE and American software giant, sees Microsoft acquire 4 percent of equity stake in UK bourse
Apple, Ericsson End Patent Row, Sign Agreement
Settlement agreement for 5G patents reached between Ericsson and Apple, ending legal hostilities between the two parties
Silicon In Focus Podcast: Next-Generation Supply Chains
The retail space online and in the high street is continuing to transform. Can marketplaces help smaller retailers compete and differentiate their businesses? And what does the future of integrated retailing look like as customer exper ...
Analyst Cuts iPhone Shipment Estimate
Analysts reduce estimated number of iPhone 14 shipments, after production problems at huge Foxconn factory in China
Apple Abandons Plan To Check iOS Devices For Child Abuse Images
Controversial plan to check images for CSAM on iOS devices and iCloud has now been abandoned this week by Apple
US Moves To Block Microsoft’s Activision Purchase
Biden administration on Thursday makes its move to block Microsoft's $69bn acquisition of gaming giant Activision Blizzard
Antwerp City Services Down After Ransomware Attack
Online services at the city of Antwerp, Belgium knocked offline this week after ransomware attack on city's digital partner
Europe’s Top Court Rules Google Must Remove ‘Inaccurate’ Data
Fresh development in 'right to be forgotten' case, as CJEU rules Google must remove data from online search results if proved inaccurate
Trial For Wirecard Executives Begins In Germany
Trial of former CEO and other managers begins in Germany, following spectacular collapse of Munich fintech Wirecard in 2020
Apple Ramps Up Security, Privacy Amid Ongoing Attacks
Apple confirms plans to tighten up cloud security, including locking down photos and notes stored on its iCloud service
Pentagon To Split $9bn Cloud Contract With Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Oracle
You can all share the spoils. DoD's JWCC project (formerly JEDI) is to be split between four cloud service providers
Alphabet To Merge Waze And Google Maps Teams
CEO of Waze to depart Google after confirmation Waze and Google Maps teams will merge, as standalone Waze app to remain
Uber, Motional Launch Robotaxi Service In Las Vegas
People in Las Vegas will now be able to summon a Motional robotaxi on the Uber app, whilst visiting 'sin city'
Taiwan Bans China’s TikTok From Government Devices
National security move sees Taiwan implementing a public sector ban on China's TikTok and other Chinese software and services
Apple’s Self Driving Car Deadline Slips Again
Much delayed self-driving electric car from Apple is reportedly now going to be launched in 2026, after yet another delay
TSMC Arizona Fabs To Generate $10 Billion Yearly, Create 10,000 Jobs
Taiwanese chip giant's new fabs in Arizona are to generate plenty of revenue and jobs, as President Biden visits construction site
Amazon, EU Reach Antitrust Deal – Report
Settlement reportedly reached between Amazon and European Commission over alleged anti-competitive practices
Apple Self Service Repair Arrives In UK, Europe
Right to repair arrives in UK and Europe, where users can now purchase genuine Apple parts to repair an iPhone themselves
TSMC Triples Arizona Factory Investment To $40 Billion
President Joe Biden is to visit TSMC chip plant in Arizona after Taiwanese firm prepares to more than triple its investment to $40 billion
Microsoft Promises 10-Year Sony PlayStation Deal
Microsoft offers Sony 10-year contract for Call Of Duty cross-platform release dates, to ease regulatory concern at Activision purchase
HM Treasury Finalising Crypto Industry Rules – Report
UK's Treasury is reportedly finalising sweeping new powers for Financial Conduct Authority to properly regulate the cryptocurrency industry
Chinese Hackers Stole Covid Relief Benefits – US Secret Service
Tens of millions of dollars worth of US Covid relief benefits have allegedly been stolen by Chinese hacking team APT41
Drone and Robot Shopping
The logistics of the last mile have always been challenging for retailers. But, with multiple trials underway, is the future personalised delivery by autonomous drones? And will this technology be able to meet regulatory and safety reg ...
Meta Warns It May Remove US News Content
Facebook owner warns American Congress it may remove US news from its platform if it passes “ill-considered journalism bill”
Elon Musk’s Neuralink Faces Federal Probe
Federal investigation of Neuralink over potential animal-welfare violations, as staff allegedly complain of rushed testing
Chinese Students Invent AI ‘Invisibility Cloak’
Chinese graduate students create low-cost, inconspicuous garment whose patterns block AI cameras from recognising wearer as human
Apple, Amazon ‘Resume’ Twitter Advertising
Apple has 'fully resumed' advertising on Twitter, according to Elon Musk, while Amazon reported to be boosting ad campaigns after lull
New Zealand To Force Meta, Google To Pay For News
New Zealand law would require Meta, Google and others to pay for news they carry, after similar rules in Australia and Canada
Tesla ‘To Cut Production’ At Shanghai Plant
Tesla reportedly plans 20 percent production cut at Shanghai plant as China auto demand slows due to Covid measures, economic disruption
Vodafone Chief Executive Read To Step Down
Vodafone chief Nick Read to step down at end of month after four years with finance director taking over in interim, as stock slump continues
Foxconn Moves Toward Full Production At Major iPhone Factory
Apple supplier Foxconn looks to resume full production at huge iPhone plant in late December or early January as China eases Covid measures
Apple ‘Shifting Production Away From China’
Apple reportedly working to shift production outside of China, as disruption leads to delays of latest iPhone 14 Pro and AirPods Pro 2 models
DoJ Watchdog Seeks Investigation Into FTX Collapse
Speculator crash of crypto exchange FTX sees bankruptcy watchdog at the US Department of Justice called for 'independent investigation'
Elon Musk Suspends Kayne West Account After Swastika Post
Not again. Twitter post of a swastika sees account of American rapper Ye (aka Kayne West) suspended by Elon Musk
Apple Store Car Crash Sees Death, Injuries And Lawsuits
Last month a SUV smashed into Apple Store in Massachusetts shopping centre, killing one person and injuring 20 others. Lawsuits follow
US Drops Charges Against Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou After 2021 Deal
US prosecutors to dismiss charges against Meng Wanzhou, after last year's deal where she admitted false statements about Iran business
Thousands Of Intel Staff In Ireland Offered Unpaid Leave – Report
'Voluntary time off program' reportedly underway in Ireland, where 2,000 out of 5,000 Irish staff offered unpaid leave
Parler And Kayne West Terminate Acquisition Deal
Owner of Parler and American rapper Kanye West (aka Ye) agree to terminate sale of the app, “in the interest of both parties”
Elon Musk Backtracks Over Apple Bust Up
Chief twit tweets 'misunderstanding' about Apple potentially removing Twitter from App Store has been “resolved” after meeting Tim Cook
Starlink Satellites Trialled By Government For Remote Connectivity
UK government says Elon Musk's Starlink satellites will form part of its trial to tackle decent broadband connectivity to remote locations
Neuralink Brain Chip To Begin Human Testing In 2023
Brain interface testing. Within the next six months Elon Musk claims Neuralink's brain chip is to begin human trials
Quest Software Podcast: The Data Dilemma: How to Become a Data Centric Enterprise: Episode 5
In this final episode, we pull all the previous four themes together. We consider that a 'data business' is today. And how enterprises can begin on their journey to becoming more data-centric.